How to Overcome Writer’s Block
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As I was brainstorming a topic to discuss, I realized I wasn’t sure where to go with this post. I was actually going through a bit of a writer’s block. Then it dawned on me, write about ways to overcome writer’s block! Just about any writer, author, or blogger has experienced it. So, what is writer’s block and how do you deal with it?
Typically the phenomenon starts with having to write something, and usually on a deadline. Writer’s block is the demon that lies on a blank page. You know the topic, but for whatever reason you just can’t put it into words. Frustration certainly begins to take hold, maybe even panic as your deadline nears. The tighter the deadline, the worse that feeling becomes.
Writer’s block affects all writers. There is no immunity, even for those who are never short of words, they have experienced it at some point. There are a number of factors that are contributing to this blank state of mind:
1. Perfectionism. You demand perfection, and because of this you’ll often times get it. However, it can prohibit you during a state of writer’s block. Writing a Shakespearean masterpiece doesn’t need to happen every time your pen touches your pad, or your fingers touch your keyboard.
2. Editing, not Composing. Sometimes it’s best just to let your creative juices flow. It may not make sense, and may actually come out as gibberish, but at least it’s a start. Run with it, don’t worry about your grammar or punctuation at this stage.
3. Self-consciousness. Falling along the lines of perfectionism, you’re more focused on what people are going to think of you or your writing. When you’re going through writer’s block, you just need to throw caution to the wind and pretend as if no one else is going to see this. It’s like a public speaker that pretends everyone in the audience is naked.
4. Can’t get started. As they say with Football, the first points are the hardest to score. The same can be said about writing, it’s usually the first sentence that’s the hardest to write. By starting off with random thoughts on a particular subject, it will get your creative juices flowing. You can always worry about fixing it up later.
5. Lack of concentration. You have every possible thing going on around you. Maybe your going through personal/family issues and can’t think. Your mind is wandering, and you can’t focus on the task at hand. I always recommend a quiet environment where you can truly focus your attention on the goal. Some people like to listen to music while they write, but I don’t. I find it too distracting and instead of writing I’m sitting there singing along. Believe me, it doesn’t sound pretty.
6. Procrastination. This might just be everyone’s middle name. People are often procrastinators and this isn’t helping your writer’s block syndrome. Set goals and stick to them. If you plan on writing 3 blog posts today, then focus your attention on accomplishing that goal and don’t worry yourself with what you’re going to have for dinner.
Hopefully, realizing writer’s block and how it’s caused will push you towards conquering the syndrome. Be prepared and stay focused, and soon writer’s block will be in the rear view mirror.
Be sure and subscribe for the latest web marketing strategies and updates! Justin McGill is a web marketing professional and runs a successful Small Business SEO Firm. He is the founder and CEO of SEORCHERS (read: [surch-ers]) - a local web marketing firm specializing in organic search engine optimization (SEO) with a focus on converting visitors into clients.
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Hi , thanks for this true post.The things you wrote can happen with anyone.Sometimes you realy have to forget the world arround you and focusing on your goal.I have this valuable moments when i work at night for some days in the month.No one is arround me , silence and the things come on it’s own.I just need to write them down.
best wishes
WebBanshee’s last blog post..Conficker.Watching And Waiting!
Yes, I think that it’s best to just get something down in writing, and not worry too much about what it’s like. You can always do the editing later.
One way I find that gets the words flowing is to find something that annoys me. When I’m het-up I just have to write it out.
That’s why I look at Google News if I’m short of ideas. That will almost always present something that makes my hackles rise!
Matt Hayden’s last blog post..Best article directories
You’re exactly right. That process (being heated) actually inspired the post on LocalAdLink.
I have “title block” My blog is just a bunch of lists (and lists of the same thing) so I run out of things to call them. I’ve started just randomly pulling out search strings that people have wandered into my blog using. Well except for the latest one… it has no title. LOL
Dwippy DoFollow´s last blog ..No Title for this One